Denver Nuggets Pregame: Toronto Raptors (11/1/17)

The Denver Nuggets kick-off their six game home stand Wednesday night against the Toronto Raptors

When: Wednesday, November 1st, 7pm MST

Where: Pepsi Center, Denver, CO

TV/Radio: Altitude TV | KKSE 950AM

The Denver Nuggets (3-4) will look to get some momentum going after splitting their four game east coast road trip last week. After losing to the Knicks 116-110 on Monday night, they’ll face another Eastern Conference team in the Raptors (4-2) on Wednesday. Toronto has been a playoff team each of the last four seasons and is currently fifth in the Eastern Conference.

DeMar DeRozan currently leads the Raptors in scoring with 23.7 points per game, while shooting 48 percent from the field. Point guard Kyle Lowry is another name the Nuggets will have to keep an eye on Wednesday night. The multiple time All-Star does a little bit of everything. Lowry is averaging 13.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game.

Denver is the Raptors fifth stop on their current west coast road trip, a trip they have started 2-2. Toronto is riding a two game win streak however, and are coming off a big 99-85 win in Portland on Monday night. They held the Blazers to just 6 total points in the second quarter of that game.

After Toronto, Denver will stick around for an extended home stand. They’ll play Miami, Brooklyn, Oklahoma City, Orlando and the defending champion Golden State Warriors.

After a disappointing 3-4 record start to the season, this home stand will be a true test as to what kind of team the Nuggets truly are. In each of the last two seasons, the Nuggets have been at least 6 games under .500 at the 20 game mark. With as back heavy as the Nuggets schedule is, these home stands need to be successful if the Nuggets have dreams of reaching the playoffs.

Nikola Jokic is the Nuggets current leader in points, rebounds, and assists per game. The Serbian is sitting at 17.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game and could potentially be in for another big night. Raptors starting center, Jonas Valanciunas, will more than likely be out due to an ankle injury. That’ll mean Jokic will square off against Lucas Nogueira and Jakob Poeltl.

Another fun match-up to watch will be the point guard battle between Jamal Murray and Kyle Lowry. Murray has been great the last two games scoring 26 points against the Nets and 20 points against the Knicks. The former Wildcat will have his hands full though on Wednesday night though. Lowry is a three-time all-star and is one of the top point guards in the Eastern Conference.

The shooting guard battle between Gary Harris and DeMar DeRozan will be important. Harris is averaging 14.4 points per game and has been playing some incredible defense as of late. In the Nuggets last two games against Brooklyn and New York, he recorded three steals in each game. His effort was instrumental to an almost miraculous comeback in Manhattan.

A big game from Jokic and some stellar defense from their guards should help Denver secure the w. Stay tuned to Dig In Denver for your post game coverage.